Swiss–Latvian Cooperation 2024–2029: A Strategic Boost to Vocational Training, Research, Health, and Environmental Education

This week, Latvia and Switzerland completed their annual review of the Swiss–Latvian Cooperation Programme (2024–2029), reaffirming a joint commitment to strengthening vocational education, applied research, healthcare, and environmental management. With a combined investment of approximately EUR 42.4 million, the collaboration is structured around four core pillars: vocational and technical education; advanced applied research; pediatric oncology; and environmental remediation.

Under the “Stronger Work‑Based Learning” component, EUR 12.3 million is being deployed to integrate Swiss vocational training models and active industry partnerships into Latvia’s education system. Sector-specific working groups—comprising Latvian and Swiss experts—are co‑designing updated curricula focused on adaptability, technical competence, and direct career-pathway placement. Swiss technical assistance also includes structured faculty training, teacher exchanges, and embedded internships within regional industries—all intended to enhance the relevance and impact of VET programmes.

In parallel, the “Partnership in Applied Research” stream allocates another EUR 12.3 million to foster doctoral studies and collaborative innovation projects. Latvia’s doctoral candidates are now working alongside Swiss counterparts on promising research areas such as smart energy, advanced materials, and digital technologies. Joint supervision, shared lab facilities, and co-authored publications aim to raise research standards and spur innovation-led growth.

Healthcare education receives a dedicated EUR 9.3 million to strengthen pediatric oncology teaching, clinical processes, and laboratory capacity. This includes the development of standardised curricula for medical professionals, enhanced diagnostic training, and the implementation of modern clinical pathways. Over the past year, new pediatric care teams have been trained, and state-of-the-art equipment is being deployed in regional centres to elevate care quality and integrate recent advancements in oncology.

Environmental science and education benefit from EUR 15.2 million targeting the remediation of hazardous sites—particularly around Aizkraukle. As part of this effort, Latvian students and vocational trainees are now gaining hands-on experience in monitoring groundwater, assessing soil contamination, and participating in sustainable clean-up processes. This approach positions environmental stewardship as a priority in technical education curricula and community awareness initiatives.

The second annual programme meeting, held on 16–17 June 2025, highlighted early successes across all pillars. Swiss and Latvian officials praised the alignment of technical training with industry, improved doctoral supervision models, upgraded clinical education, and active environmental learning programmes. These efforts support Latvia’s long-term educational goals—including strengthening the responsiveness of vocational education systems, closing research skills gaps, and enhancing practical training for healthcare and environmental remediation.

In parallel to this cooperation, ECLBS (European Council of Leading Business Schools) has further reinforced its engagement in Swiss-based quality assurance frameworks by signing an MoU with FIBAA (Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation) in Switzerland. This strategic collaboration highlights ECLBS’s role in supporting quality standards in European and global business education.

By combining financial investment, institutional collaboration, and a strong emphasis on applied learning, the programme aims to embed sustainable improvements across vocational training, research, healthcare instruction, and environmental education by 2029. The Swiss–Latvian approach offers a compelling model for structured international partnership—one that marries academic development with real-world application to uplift Latvia’s education ecosystem.